- Nigeria, Denmark Partner to Boost AMR Response, Food Safety Systems
- Kamal noted that the programme is equipping farmers, veterinarians, food safety professionals and regulators
- A key highlight was the progress report on the Nigeria Denmark SSC
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety gaps and climate vulnerabilities through an integrated One Health approach, as experts, regulators and development partners gathered for a national workshop themed “Strengthening AMR Surveillance, Biosafety and Climate Smart Agriculture Through a One Health Approach in Nigeria.”
Eko Hot Blog reports that the workshop focused on the urgent need for evidence driven solutions that link animal, human and environmental health, a connection increasingly critical as rising AMR and climate change intensify global risks.
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Organised under the DAN NG platform, the event received support from the Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the DFC guiding principle: Inspire, Connect, Act.
Sidikat Kamal, Coordinator of DAN NG and Chief Regulatory Officer at NAFDAC, said the workshop underscored the importance of stronger cross sector collaboration to reinforce food safety, protect livelihoods and build resilient livestock systems.
According to her, “We gathered here to strengthen our capacity to act for the future of food safety, public health and environmental sustainability. If you want to go far, go together, and today, we have acted on that principle.”
Kamal noted that the programme is equipping farmers, veterinarians, food safety professionals and regulators with enhanced technical capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s livestock value chain.
The workshop strengthened competencies in ethical animal husbandry, responsible feed management, animal identification and traceability, as well as the detection, prevention and control of infectious and transboundary diseases. It also deepened knowledge on AMR stewardship, responsible use of veterinary medicines, risk based food safety inspections, regulatory adherence and climate smart livestock practices.
These efforts, she stressed, are essential for resilient agriculture and stronger public health outcomes, especially as climate change expands disease vectors and increases pressure on vaccine preventable diseases.
This year’s global AMR Week theme, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” (2025), framed the urgency of the discussions. AMR continues to threaten the effectiveness of lifesaving medicines for humans and animals, while climate change disrupts food systems, water safety and disease control. Lower income countries like Nigeria remain particularly vulnerable.
The workshop convened stakeholders from NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). Experts from academia, regulatory agencies, veterinary institutions and the livestock sector also participated, reinforcing the cross disciplinary nature of the One Health approach.
A key highlight was the progress report on the Nigeria Denmark Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC), established in 2020 to improve livestock production, animal health and climate resilient agriculture.
With more than 44 joint projects completed, the partnership has strengthened food safety systems, upgraded livestock practices and empowered communities to adopt sustainable One Health aligned innovations.
Kamal described the workshop as a hub for learning and practical action, noting that the insights generated will continue to “inform policy, strengthen communities and advance climate smart agriculture across Nigeria.” She reaffirmed DAN NG’s commitment to supporting institutions and practitioners, while promoting collaboration across sectors.
Participants agreed that Nigeria’s path to safer food systems, stronger health security and sustainable agriculture depends on shared commitment and coordinated action, a message captured in the African proverb that closed the event: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
The workshop embodied that spirit, charting a united path forward for the country.
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